How long have you thought about leaving YOUR J.O.B? I say “leaving” and not “quitting” because doing so really isn’t quitting at all. You are simply choosing something different. In any event, I have wanted to leave for so long. SO DAMN LONG. I love catching babies, and I love midwives, and I love my clients, and I really do dig being a baby catcher. Alas, I do not dig being an employee.

Not because my job sucked. My job rocked! As did the people I worked with. But I just don’t do well when I’m not doing my own thing. On my own terms. At least most of the time;) I even went part-time more and more over the years. But, my soul spoke louder because, frankly, it was not enough.

So I quit! Ah. Big breath.

This does not mean I am never ever going to catch another baby. But I need more freedom in my life to live out the other things that excite me as well. I am now going to be more FREE to embrace the speed at which Freedom Junkie is growing, and spread the love of radiant inner confidence so people can live their dreams. And I get to continue to live my dreams, my life, on my terms.

As my partner said when he toasted me last night, “Welcome to the free world.” Indeed.

More risky? Yes. Worth it? For me, it is.

You see, I’ve been in the “free world” the majority of my adult life. I had been a climbing guide for 10 years living in the wilderness and out of my car as I traveled the world. I have also spent years working in various clinics and hospitals, piecing together three or four different sites so that I could make my own schedule. Yes, that was more of a pain, but it was worth it for me at the time. My recent career as a midwife was the first time I ever had a kind of “normal” j.o.b. and even then it was pretty amazing and unique. It had lots of freedom within it as well. So yes, I was used to the free world.

Someone once said to me (lovingly), “You, Ana, are a special case.” LOL. Indeed. And us “special cases” can’t be put into special cases. We need to bust out of them. Some people like special cases and they make nice beds for themselves and sleep soundly. Safe and secure. And they LOVE it! But me, I like being free and running around naked etc., even if it means I might get cuts and bruises where I prefer not to. I like to sleep on the ground, under the stars (literally and figuratively). I sleep better after a day of hunting and gathering, if you will, than after the grocery store. So I took the risks to be free. And it was awesome!

But then I got cancer. And then I got booted from every potential insurers “Please come be our client” list. Then I got divorced.

Then I got scared.

So I took a J.O.B., and I gave thanks every day that bringing babies into the world and caring for mamas and their families was such a fulfilling and rewarding career, and that where I worked generally celebrated my special case-ness (I know…not a real word). I enjoyed my safe bed and the secure sleep for a little while. It was worth sacrificing some freedom when I was scared. And I still think it was a good decision. When you’re scared, it is important to take care of yourself. But after a while, you need to step back out and take risks again. I was getting too comfy. And for me that was, frankly, boring.

Not everyone feels this boredom when things are predictable. When I see people who are honestly OK with predictable, I notice that it is usually because they are in fact living their dreams – which happen to also fit in with a predictable world. But my dreams never have fit quite so well into the predictable.

On the flip side, I think a lot of people do feel this boredom as well. It is there when you pause and take inventory of the NOW. What you are doing, and what you’d rather be doing. Finally, I couldn’t be OK with what I was saying “No” to while I was saying “Yes” to security. Until the balance got tilted in that direction, it worked for me, bu after that, I couldn’t be OK with it anymore. So I quit.

I am very aware I am giving up a coziness in career that many people long for. However, I am thrilled over the moon to regain my freedom. Security has its perks, but freedom – for me – has many more.

I’m not saying this is for everyone. Peeps need to do what makes THEM happy. And for me, it is worth it to take the risks of not having an externally guaranteed paycheck (and, ahem, many have learned that isn’t a sure-thing either) so that I can live with fewer regrets.

And if I regret this decision? I guess I’ll go back and get another J.O.B. But something tells me that is highly unlikely, and hell, you HAVE to do it scared anyway. I’ve learned through lessons I hope you will never have to experience that “What ifs” are a bunch of B.S. and you do NOT want to wonder that every day of your life. Life is too short.

(Oh, and the Full On 365 recap for the past few days? Day 32: Fully – and finally – purging my house of 6 boxes of books and 3 boxes of clothes and tossing hundreds of pounds of clutter. Amen. And if you can believe it, I can STILL toss more stuff. Clearing this clutter has been a HUGE part of living Full On that I’d been putting off. Now I have more energy as a result. Which means more Full On days;) Day 33: Deciding I would make some big decisions on my own, without waiting for my partner to decide anything or for some magical event to occur, and talking to my partner about all that in a way that left me vulnerable and strong at the same time. Day 34: Quit the job;)

Full On.

Note: Ana Neff is known as the Freedom™ Mentor. She helps individuals awaken their lives, their businesses and their success with radiant inner confidence. Her monthly Freedom Junkie eZine goes out to hundreds of subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can learn more about her coaching programs and download her FREE Getting Clear Guide by visiting http://www.FreedomJunkie.com

11 Comments on Days 32, 33, and 34 – Leaving the JOB

Amanda

March 6, 2012 at 4:02 pm (3 years ago)

Nice one Anna! I quit (kind of) last year–I told my employer I could still do the job, but only as a contractor working from my own office (read:home) so I could have the freedom to take on other clients and pursue other things as well (read: travel, do yoga, or whatever I felt like). I have never done well with structure being imposed on me either, and making my own schedule 100% has made me feel more free than ever before! Congrats on re-joining the free! p.s. I’ve loved reading your blog

Hello, Amanda! I remember WELL those days of transition for you as we went through yoga teacher training. You have always been brave in that way since the day I first met you. I love reading about your adventures – here AND abroad – as well.

Thank you for your words. We have to play together soon in this free world;) I’ll try to find you next time I’m in the Bay Area. Hmmmm maybe a workshop together?!

Nancy

March 8, 2012 at 5:41 am (3 years ago)

Ana, Congratulations! What a big step, and one that is so difficult to make. Well, maybe not difficult to make, but difficult to trust in. I am teaching for Frontier FT, so I do feel like I am part of the free world too,and I can’t imagine doing anything else right now. While I still have responsibilities, I can do them on my own terms, and that means alot. If only I could talk my husband into buying that RV, instead of a house. Retirement, Shmetirement. Love hearing of all your adventures. Some day I will join you.

Right on, Nancy! I have always thought a teaching job with Frontier would be pretty sweet. I am glad you are confirming that! I say keep pushing for the RV. My house is up for sale and I plan to be mobile again, so I think your idea is spot on. I do hope we get to adventure soon. Maybe you can join one of my future virtual coaching programs and you can inspire others with your life choices too;) I’m creating one called “You Kick Ass,” which I think is calling your name;)

Nancy

March 9, 2012 at 6:19 am (3 years ago)

I love the name of it! That is me! Def send me the details when you get them. It’s hard not to put down roots–with 6 kids, we need to have a place to call home. We’ve been renting since last summer, as we just moved to Central MN. I love the freedom of not owning, but, my husband is not quitting his job anytime soon, and we have college to think about. My second best option is a couple of alternative education trips with the 3 younger ones, so that they can see how incredibly blessed they are.

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